Chemion Logistics' new labeling system

Ensuring maximum safety is a top priority in chemical logistics. The innovative new generation of adhesives opens up new possibilities for the identification of labels – for example in extreme conditions. As an independently owned subsidiary of Bayer, Chemion Logistics uses labels based on this in its thermal packaging.

The task of chemion Logistics Services in the chemical and chemical related fields is complex: How can the label be securely and reliably attached to packaging containers filled with hot fill chemicals? How can we make the label stand the wind and rain in the next two years at least? How to make labels on ordinary laser printers dispersedly and cost-effectively in the future?

Provide a package of logistics services

Chemion, which has been operating independently since 2001, was formerly a Bayer transportation company and has more than 100 years of market experience. This is the basis for providing a complete set of logistics services. This service mainly includes the transportation, warehousing and transshipment of raw materials, intermediate products and final products, as well as the execution of goods shipment. The chemical industrial parks at the three locations in Leverkusen, Dormagen and Krefeld-Uerdingen provide good conditions for connection to waterways, railways and highway networks.
One of Chemion's business areas is the filling of liquid chemicals. The customers at Leverkusen Chemical Park not only have Bayer, but also dozens of other production companies. Karl-Heinz Theisen, Chemion's liquid logistics manager at Chemion, said: “Not all customers have large liquid product warehouses and corresponding filling equipment. They cannot accept products with tankers or railcars. For these customers we use small The containers are filled with chemicals and, in some cases, also stored, just in this area, about 88 000 painted 200L metal barrels are transported each year, which requires an absolute reliability of each barrel. Marking - even under extreme conditions, such as under hot-filling conditions."

Filling hot material

Most liquids are aromatic hydrocarbons having a relatively high freezing point of about 50-85°C. In order to ensure that the chemical remains liquid in the so-called cold bridge throughout the entire pipe network, it is heated to 120-140°C. At this temperature, ordinary label materials have only a very limited viscosity. In addition, Chemion also assured its customers two years of packaging container storage capacity. - The label must remain tacky for at least a long period of time after hot filling, even if the bucket is stored under open air conditions.

Within just a few weeks, labeling specialist Herma solved this problem. Self-adhesive technologists use a new generation of adhesives, an ultraviolet crosslinked acrylate adhesive. Herma is the first company in the industry to develop this adhesive for practical application. In this way, labels can be used where the substrate was previously too hot, too wet, or “difficult” to paste things or corrosive chemicals. This adhesive is particularly resistant to water, heat and aging because it is not susceptible to embrittlement or discoloration, and it is also resistant to seawater attack.

Extensive testing

In their own tests, Chemion conducted a careful examination of the properties of the new adhesives and confirmed them. Thomas Michels, Chemion's printing and labeling specialist, said: “For example, we sprayed the labeled test label with hot steam at 150° C. We also attached the label to the combustion chamber of the burning device so that they were exposed to the sun. In the rain and at a high temperature of 85°C, the label does not come off.” As a label material, Herma has for the first time developed a self-adhesive polyethylene film, which can be printed on an A4 size label using a standard laser printer. Can print in color. Because this self-adhesive technology company is different from other label manufacturers and develops and produces adhesives and adhesive composites by itself, it can purposefully test various combinations of materials according to actual conditions of use and replace materials accordingly.

Herma conducts these tests in close coordination with well-known printer manufacturers. Michels said: “Decently printing labels on A4 sheets clearly shows the advantages of our technology's flexibility and economy. Previously, Chemion entrusted printing companies with the task of printing labels. And then print it on a large press.” Michels recalls: “This requires not only a day or two of intense preparation, but also a lot of management work, and the unit cost of labels will be very high in small batches and scattered productions. ”


Source: Process Engineering